After hitting another obstacle in her return, Naomi Osaka said she was attempting not to feel "like a failure" following her 7-5, 6-0 loss to former world no. 7 Danielle Collins in the Abu Dhabi Open first round on Tuesday.
"I say some pretty harsh words about myself. I know the word, but if I say it, it sounds really bad. I felt a little like a 'failure', but I don't want to be too harsh," Osaka told AFP in the UAE capital after her straight sets defeat.
The Japanese star returned last month from a 15-month absence from the tour. Despite her return, the star has lost three of her four games this season and been dealt some difficult draws.The former world number one also lost in straight sets in the doubles later on Tuesday, alongside Ons Jabeur, but feels that performance helped her shake off her earlier disappointment.